title: How 'blended' is blended learning?: students' perceptions of issues around the integration of online and face-to-face learning in a Continuing Professional Development (CPD) health care context.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This paper explores students' perceptions of blended learning modules delivered in a Continuing Professional Development (CPD) health care context in the UK. 'Blended learning' is the term used to describe a hybrid model of learning where traditional face-to-face teaching approaches and newer electronic learning activities and resources are utilised together.
  
  
  METHODS
  A new model of CPD for health care practitioners based on a blended learning approach was developed at a university in the south west of England. As part of the evaluation of the new modules, a qualitative study was conducted, in which 17 students who had experienced the modules were interviewed by telephone.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Three main themes emerged from the interviews relating to the 'blended' nature of the blended learning modules. These were i) issues around the opportunities for discussion of online materials face-to-face; ii) issues of what material should be online versus face-to-face and iii) balancing online and face-to-face components.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Teaching staff engaged in the development of blended learning courses need to pay particular attention to the ways in which they develop and integrate online and face-to-face materials. More attention needs to be paid to allowing opportunity for students to come together to create a 'community of inquiry'.
authors.affiliation: University of the West of England, Faculty of Health & Life Sciences, Glenside Campus, Blackberry Hill, Bristol BS16 1DD, UK. margaret2.glogowska@uwe.ac.uk
authors.forename: Margaret
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Glogowska
authors.forename: Pat
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Young
authors.forename: Lesley
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lockyer
authors.forename: Pam
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Moule
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D004509:Education, Nursing, Continuing / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D007858:Learning; D008875:Middle Aged; D015402:Nursing Education Research; D015403:Nursing Evaluation Research; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D036301:Qualitative Research; D013338:Students, Nursing / Q000523:psychology*; D013663:Teaching / Q000379:methods*; D006113:United Kingdom; D055815:Young Adult